Free Republic

<p>Jesse Ventura will be the host of a talk show on MSNBC this year, sources close to the deal confirmed Tuesday, but he faces a challenge that might be as tough as his run for governor.</p> <p>MSNBC started in 1996 with great promise, primarily because it could use the resources of NBC News. But the cable network has struggled to find an identity and an audience. In the first two weeks of January, it averaged 397,000 nationwide viewers during prime time, well behind Fox News' 1.3 million and CNN's 941,000.</p>

Posted on Tue, Jun. 18, 2002 Ventura bows outBy Jim Ragsdale and John WelshPioneer Press Gov. Jesse Ventura, the Independence Party candidate who ;shocked the world; with his election in 1998, announced abruptly Tuesday morning that he would not seek a second term. He said his heart was no longer in the job. Although the governor said he made his decision several weeks ago, his announcement followed media reports of parties held by his son, Tyrel Ventura, in the official Governors Residence that reportedly resulted in damaged property.;It's difficult to do these public service jobs when your family can...